Board Chair Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Otto J. Guenther ’63 inducted into Army ROTC Hall of Fame

Retired Lt. Gen. Otto J. Guenther, chair of the McDaniel College Board of Trustees, has been honored for his military achievements, both past and present.   

Guenther, a 1963 alumnus who majored in Economics and was a member of the Green Terror Battalion Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, has been inducted into the national U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame, which recognizes ROTC graduates who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits.  

He has also been named a 2021 Veteran Champion of the Year in Higher Education by G.I. Jobs magazine, which publishes the Military Friendly® Schools list. McDaniel has been included on the list every year since it launched in 2009.   

As the most visible and prominent volunteer leader at the college, Guenther has given back to both McDaniel and the military community. He has particularly been involved with the Green Terror Battalion where he is a mentor and active supporter, as well as assists in connecting military alumni back with the college. He also played a lead role in developing McDaniel’s Military Legacy Scholarship for all military veterans, active-duty military personnel and their children.  

The Lieutenant General (R) Otto Guenther Leadership Award, awarded for the first time at McDaniel’s May 2021 Commissioning Ceremony, was created to honor his lifelong dedication to both the Army and McDaniel. He has also been the recipient of the college’s Trustee Service Award, Alumni Community Service Award, and Alumni College Service Award.  

Guenther, who served in the U.S. Army for 34 years, is one of 12 military generals, and among the highest-ranking, to ever graduate from the college. He has received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, and the Army Identification Badge.  

In 1995, he became the U.S. Army’s first chief information officer and was the director of Information Systems at the Pentagon until his retirement in 1997. After retiring from his military career, he became vice president and general manager for the federal division of Computer Associates. He then became general manager and corporate executive vice president of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems’ Tactical Systems Division. 

In 2019, Guenther was named to the U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command Hall of Fame.